Col. Robert Walter Dobbs, 85, Rainbow City, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. Visitation and funeral services will be Monday at Rainbow Presbyterian Church beginning at 10 a.m., with the funeral being at noon. The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 tonight at Crestwood Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be in Crestwood Cemetery.
Born May 29, 1931, in Detroit, Mich., Robert was the son of the late Walter S. and Addie Mae Dobbs. He graduated from Fyffe High School, Snead State Community College, Jacksonville State University, and George Peabody College (Vanderbilt University). Robert was an educator. He coached, taught, and served as an administrator in several schools in Florida and Alabama, including Geraldine, Crossville and Fyffe. Robert moved his family to Gadsden to become one of the original administrators at Gadsden State in 1965. He served Gadsden State for 20 years. After retiring in 1985, he worked at State Technical Institute in Memphis, Tenn., for another decade, retiring as Academic Vice President.
Robert was also a Marine. A Korean War veteran, he served more than 30 years in the Marine Reserve, retiring as a Colonel.
People knew Robert by different titles: Coach, Teacher, Dean, Colonel, Dad. First and foremost, Robert W. Dobbs was a leader. He earned great admiration and respect from those he served! ln his 20 years of "retirement," Robert remained very active and engaged in his community, family, and church. He loved his Rainbow Church family and served the church and many roles, including as a deacon and elder. He served on countless boards and volunteered countless hours to several worthy organizations, such as Eagle Rock Ranch, Military Officers Association, Salvation Army, and the Patriots Association, among others. There are many good men ... Robert Walter Dobbs was a great man!
Robert was a loving and committed son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Dobbs; and wife of almost 60 years, JoAnn Miller Dobbs.
He is survived by his children, Diane Prince (Lew), Lisa Dobbs, Donna Wiesehan (Rick), Bobby Dobbs (Dianna), Joe Dobbs, and Richard Dobbs (Faith); grandchildren, Kelly, Jon, Lara, Brandon, Bobby, Nicole, Jessica, Sarah, Christina, Liberty, Hannah, and Caleb; great-grandchildren, Emma, Walker, Chloe, Auna Kay, Gadsden, Ava, Jude, Kolia and Leelon. He is also survived by his brothers, Bill and Jim Dobbs.
Pallbearers will be sons-in-law, Lew Prince and Rick Wiesehan, and grandsons, Jon Prince, Bobby Dobbs, Caleb Dobbs, and Brandon Wiesehan.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored by donation in Robert's name to Rainbow Presbyterian Church, Salvation Army, and/or Eagle Rock Ranch.